The Welding Starter Kit

Welcome to our Welding Starter Kit! I have put together a list of my favorite tools for beginner and intermediate welders, so you can get started on your metalworking journey. These are all tools I have been using for years and have been reliable workhorses for for years of welding every day. From safety gear to welding machines, my carefully curated selection has everything you need to start welding at home or in your workshop. Each item has been selected for its quality and affordability, so you can be confident in your purchases. Be sure to use the links I have provided on this page to help support the content.

TIG Welder

My second TIG welder, the Primeweld 225XD is still my go to machine. At an incredibly affordable price point of around $900 this welder has been my shop workhorse for years. I have used it every day and it handles like a champ, I built my business with this machine and you can’t go wrong with it. It is 110V/220V so you can use it in the shop or out in the field and it’s not too heavy if you need to move it around. It comes with a CK worldwide flex head torch and the value for money is unbeatable in the single process Tig market at this price point.If you are still deciding which process of welder to purchase I have written a blog article going in depth about the differences as well as the pros and cons of each type of machine. Read the blog post… Here

MIG Welder

The Lincoln Electric Power MIG 211i MIG Welder is a versatile and high-quality welding machine. It can weld both thin and thick materials with ease, thanks to its adjustable voltage and wire speed settings. Just like with the Primeweld, tts dual-input design allows for both 120V and 230V power sources, making it adaptable to shop welding or mobile jobs. This is Lincoln’s newest power mig and they have really dialed it in since their last model. I highly recommend this machine as a starter unit if you are serious about getting into welding. This welder goes for around $1,300.

Chop Saw

The Makita LC1230 stands out as the most essential tool in my workshop. While it comes at a premium price point compared to its abrasive counterpart, I implore you to consider this saw as your top priority. Equipped with a carbide-tipped steel blade, it eliminates hazardous fumes and sparks, delivers precise cuts without deflection, and minimizes bur cleanup. Compared to abrasive saws, this tool cuts through steel like a hot knife through butter, reducing your work time by more than half. Trust me, this workhorse will revolutionize your metalworking practice and you won't look back. The last time I checked the price for this puppy was around $550.

Budget Chop Saw

The DeWalt Metal D28715 Chop Saw is an excellent choice for those on a budget looking for a dependable saw for cutting metal. Its 15 amp motor delivers speeds of 4,000 RPM, allowing it to easily cut through thick metal pieces with its abrasive blade. The saw has a great vise for fast and easy material clamping and also has an adjustable depth stop that allows for precise, repeatable cuts.

Like I mentioned above, the downside of this saw is that the abrasive blade produces sparks and can create a lot of debris, so it is important to wear appropriate personal protective equipment and work in a well-ventilated area. Additionally, the abrasive blade can wear out faster than other types of blades and may require more frequent replacement.

Angle Grinder

the Makita 9557PB Angle Grinder is a tool of many uses. From cutting and grinding to polishing and sanding this little beast can handle it all. Its paddle switch design provides added safety and convenience, allowing for easy one-handed operation. The powerful 7.5 amp motor is more than enough for any job. I have left this tool out in the rain and used it for hours everyday for years and i’ve never had a problem with it or had to replace it. If you are choosing between a paddle and trigger, I highly recommend the paddle as squeezing a trigger with one finger for hours a day really wears you out. You can pick this guy up for around $90.

Welding Hood

I have tried many welding helmets in my career, but the ESAB Sentinel A60 is by far the most impressive. ESAB has made great strides with this new model, addressing many of the issues that the A50 had. The viewing area is significantly larger, and the optics have been improved to provide crystal clear vision. What's more, the hood features an external grind button that allows you to switch to grinding mode without taking off your gloves or hood. The adjustable headgear is incredibly comfortable and perfect for all-day wear. If you are looking for a welding helmet that provides exceptional clarity, comfort, and functionality, the ESAB Sentinel A60 is the way to go. Since this hood just came out, look for reviews of the A50 to get an idea of how good this helmet is. At the time of writing this, the hood is going for $355.

Budget Welding Hood

The Jackson Safety Insight Auto Darkening Welding Helmet is an excellent budget-friendly option for beginners. As a seasoned welder, I can attest to its durability and reliability, having used it as my second welding helmet for several years. The helmet boasts a generously sized and crystal-clear viewing area, with a classic green lens that provides exceptional visibility during welding. While the headgear is comfortable, it can feel a bit heavy after extended use. It's important to invest in a quality welding helmet as it can impact your ability to learn and understand welding techniques. I highly recommend this helmet as the minimum standard for beginners, and wouldn't recommend going any cheaper.

Consumables

These are all the consumables that I use myself, quality items that do not break the bank. Once you have everything here, you should be able to create almost anything imaginable! Click on an image to see the latest price on Amazon.

4.5” cutting discs for your angle grinder. These discs last quite a while and make quick work of cutting steel even up to 1/4” thick. I usually purchase two of these packs and they can last me quite a long time.

4.5” flap discs for your angle grinder. These flap discs chew up steel. They are used for smoothing and surfacing steel, grinding welds and removing burs. They leave a decent finish that should be sufficient for most projects.

This is the filler rod I use for the TIG welder. If you are using a MIG welder you’ll need to get a spool of wire depending on what type of welding you are doing. This filler rod is perfect and I use this diameter on prety much everything with good results.

A solid option for tungsten electrodes. The addition of thorium oxide to the tungsten electrode provides better arc starting and allows for greater current carrying capacity compared to other types of tungsten electrodes.

This is the product I use to blacken my steel. Every time you grind a weld, or even if you don’t, the steel will become silver. This chemical makes the steel black again to match the finish before it was ground or welded. Apply this solution with gloves and a green scotch brite pad.

Plain old shop rags… Well not so much, these are made from old T- shirts. I use them when I clean and apply my sealer to the steel and they don’t leave lint. This bag should last you a very, very long time.

Large screw clamps to keep your work in place. I highly recommend having a few of these in your arsenal. These clamps can be opened quickly by releasing the tension and sliding the jaw back. 2 is good, 4 is better.

Smaller clamps used for quick application. I have 15 of these and I always think I should get more. Solid and reliable, easy to adjust. I prefer the flat adjusting heads to the nub heads.